Emilia Sykes

A Rising Star

Rep. Emilia Sykes, served as a state representative and former House minority leader  and ran for Congress to expand opportunity for all Northeast Ohio families. Born in Akron, Ohio, Rep. Sykes grew up on the city’s west side and learned the meaning of public service from her parents. She graduated from Kent State University and went on to the University of Florida, where she earned both a Juris Doctor with a certificate in family law and a Master of Public Health. In 2014, she was elected to represent Ohio’s 34th state District in the Ohio House of Representatives, making history as Ohio’s first Black woman lawmaker under 30. In 2019, she was elected minority leader. In 2020, EMILY’s List awarded her the Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award, which celebrates extraordinary women serving in state or local office.

A champion for Ohio families

Rep. Sykes ran to fight for opportunity for every child, senior, and family in Northeast Ohio. As a state representative, she has fought for tax cuts for middle-class and working families, funding for high-speed internet, and higher wages and safer conditions for Ohio’s workers. During her first year as minority leader, the percentage of bipartisan bills passed was nearly double each of the previous two legislative sessions. She has the experience and the courage it will take to expand economic opportunity, to fight for affordable health care and education, and to deliver for her community in Congress. 

A pickup in a newly redrawn district

Rep. Sykes ran for Ohio’s newly redrawn 13th Congressional District and won. “I’m running to help Congress look more like America,” she has said. We showed Rep. Sykes our full support and helped elect this champion for Ohioans to Congress.